Missouri prosecutors want bishop's case to go to trial

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Jackson County prosecutors have asked a judge to allow a misdemeanor charge against a Kansas City bishop and his Catholic diocese to go to trial.

Bishop Robert Finn and the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph were charged in October with failing to report suspicions of child abuse against a priest.

Missouri reporting laws require a range of officials -- including clergy -- to report child abuse suspicions within 24 hours. The charges against Finn and the diocese involve the Rev. Shawn Ratigan, who has been charged with possessing and producing child pornography.

The Kansas City Star (http://bit.ly/zCyuqg) reports Finn's attorneys argued in motions to dismiss the case that Finn isn't the diocese's designated reporter and wasn't required to tell authorities about suspected child pornography found on Ratigan's camera in 2010.